IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the editor for July 13, 2013

Published: Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 12, 2013 at 9:12 p.m.

Trying to outlaw abortion outright by having Roe v. Wade overturned or indirectly by making an abortion more difficult legally is ill-advised and misguided. You cannot legislate morality.

Laws such as those against drug use, adultery and the classic case of the prohibition amendment have failed their purpose. Morality must be taught at home, at places of worship and in the schools. Outlawing abortions from a medical facility with sterile instruments to back alleys and the use of wire hangers will lead to the abandonment of newborn babies or the death or serious injury to the pregnant woman.

The woman who has an abortion will have to justify her actions before the highest judge of all, not to man-made laws. The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights places the importance of freedom of religion even ahead of “freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Furthermore, it states at the outset “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” which means that the government should not have a religion and the people are free to practice any religion they choose.

Passing laws which satisfy one’s religious beliefs violates the spirit and intent of the First Amendment, since it is giving the government the right to practice religious beliefs which the amendment says belongs to the people and not the government.

Not all Christian religions are pro-life. Others are more tolerant and believe in pro-choice. In either case, who are we as mere humans to judge.

Patricia Urbanek

Dunnellon

A weeping Liberty?

There was a short segment on the news about the makeover of the Statue of Liberty. I feel they could have added a teardrop under each eye. The last time this country came together was during World War II.

How sad.

Fred G. Adolph

Ocala

Wrong place, right mission

In response to the letter “Trusting in God,” I was at the meeting at the Ocala Police Department about the proposed Open Arms Village, and I agree that unfortunately Ocala has a problem with the homeless. However, if you listened carefully and with an open mind you would have heard that the majority of the people who attended have no problem with supporting the homeless, but do have a problem with the location being considered.

Putting Open Arms Village at Northwest 35th Street and Old Gainesville Road, just off of U.S. 441, is near residential areas that will kill property values. The Salvation Army stood up and said that they repeatedly offered their 7 acres behind their building and all that is needed is a building for these people. It was brought to the attention of all that there are many other sites that the city owns, however, it is the homeless that have chosen this site.

As residents of this area who have lovely homes and keep our property and pay our taxes, do we have a say? Build the tents in an industrial area away from families with children and schools.

Barbara Tucker

Ocala

Bought and paid

Our federal, state, county and cities’ leaders, being elected by the people, forget once in office what their job is. They become indebted to lobbyists who roam their hallways like roaches with money and goodies from large corporations. We know who their working for.

For those who dislike President Obama and choose to blame every conceivable evil on him, put your blame where it belongs.

On the passing of the same sex marriage law, the Supreme Court ruled on our Constitution that all men are created equal with the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

With all the actions being taken to keep marijuana illegal, blame Congress with lobbyists for pharmaceutical companies, the NRA, and for-profit prisons, who all have a profit interest in this issue.

Vote the bums out before tyranny visits us.

Mary Johnson

Ocala

End the denial

I am concerned that our country is not taking the lead on climate change in the world. I believe it is an economic issue, a national security and national health issue.

Climate change is caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide traps energy from the sun and causes global average temperatures to rise with unpredictable and dangerous effects.

The hottest 12 years in our earth’s history have occurred in the past 15 years. The increase in heat waves, wildfires, droughts, and severe storms have been well documented.

Therefore, I think Congress should follow the president’s lead and take action to deal with climate change. We need incentives to speed the change from carbon-based fuels to solar, wind and other clean energy. A carbon tax should be considered carefully.

Our future depends upon us doing the right thing for our children’s future. We cannot ignore or deny climate change any longer.

Please encourage our leaders at the national, state and local levels to take climate change more seriously. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to be awake and act.

Jonathan L. Brainard

Dunnellon

Gratitude

This letter is meant as a tribute to a group of amazing medical professionals. The doctors and staff at Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute, especially Dr. Norm Anderson and his angelic assistants. I cannot say enough good words about every person with whom I interacted. Knowledgeable, professional and, most importantly, their kindness, compassion and ready smiles. After 39 treatments I was really surprised that I realized I would miss these wonderful people.

Frances O’Connell

Ocala

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